The cuckoos are back - on their way north ?

An anecdotal migratory cuckoo observation   

I have noticed another wave of Channel-billed cuckoos and Koels calling in my neighbourhood in Belmont again over the last three weeks.  At first I thought it was just a one-off, but I've noticed it and now I cannot help noticing ! 

I suspect both species are starting to drift north again.  Interestingly, there has been a second wave of just-fledged young Magpies around, so perhaps the cuckoos double dip on their way back north and capitalise on the Magpies and Ravens breeding again?  I cannot see why they would risk drawing attention to themselves with their loud, raucous calls otherwise.

Food for thought.             

Yet another Asian house gecko in Belmont, Lake Macquarie, NSW

 

Juvenile Asian house gecko - Belmont, Lake Macquarie NSW

I was on my evening walk last night, and stopped by the public building where I've previously observed Asian house geckos in the last few weeks.  Thankfully it was a much cooler day.  Walking was actually pleasant again, as the humidity was far lower and the early evening was significantly cooler.  Likely the temperature was somewhere in the low 20 degrees Celsius. 

A sub-adult Asian house gecko was foraging under a light in the same spot as the previous two.  This individual is nearly twice the size of the juvenile I observed previously, so they are very definitely happily breeding here. 

Again, I only had my (failing) mobile phone with me, and I was able to grab a single voucher image from 20 feet away, before the gecko disappeared into the cavity next to its' head.  This gecko was surprisingly vigilant, reacting to my presence when I first stopped to scan the area - about 30 feet away.  I fished my phone out of my pocket and crept forwards, zooming in as much as I could.  I took one image before the gecko zoomed into the holes in the bricks next to its' head. No other geckos were active.              

New species for Casa da Ayre - Crimson rosellas

Records of Crimson rosella observations, Eastern Lake Macquarie NSW. 

Crimson rosellas are a widespread, common species.  However, as you can see in the map above, they are just not as commonly seen in eastern Lake Macquarie as Eastern rosellas or Rainbow lorikeets.  In fact, the closest I have personally seen them is Blackbutt Reserve near New Lambton NSW. 

I have regularly observed them in cooler, tall-timbered areas.  In fact the Watagan mountains (about an hours drive due west) is the closest place I know where I could guarantee to see one.  They are the dominant rosella species in the Blue mountains and Barrington tops.  

I was shocked to find three perched on the powerline in my front yard this afternoon.  We are growing sunflowers in the front garden this year, and have a score of mature seed heads that must have caught their attention.  In years past, King parrots, Rainbow lorikeets, Sulphur-crested cockatoos, Galahs and Little corellas have dropped by to sample our sunflowers.  We even get frequent visits from Yellow-tailed black cockatoos when our macadamia nut trees have mature fruit.

Now we get to add Crimson rosellas to our species list !  How wonderful.                

Asian house gecko population is breeding

 It was hot & sticky day yesterday, (Friday 2nd Feb 2024) and the temperature reached a typical summer time mid-30's.  It was still in the high twenties and very humid that night.  My wife & I decided to take the girls for a walk as it had cooled enough to be tolerable, and we all needed to stretch our legs. 

We walked past the same building I observed the Asian house gecko in the previous post.  Naturally I checked to see if it was out, and instead there was small, likely 12 month old juvenile in the same place.  This gecko was extremely shy, and rapidly scurried into a crevice as soon as my torch beam touched him, despite being ten feet off the ground. Unfortunately, neither of us had our phones, so couldn't get a voucher photo - but it was unmistakeably an Asian house gecko and this record indicates they are definitely breeding here in Belmont. 

I'll drop past again later in the week while the warm weather keeps up, and see if I can get a decent photo. 

Addendum - I was working in the backyard this afternoon (Saturday 3rd Feb 24) and heard the unmistakeable daytime chirp of another Asian house gecko.  Further evidence that they are well established here now !